updated 12:10 pm EST, Tue December 4, 2007

Vista 'killswitch' removed

Bowing to pressure, Microsoft will soon remove an anti-piracy measure from Windows Vista that cripples the software, say Reuters and BBC News. Vista Service Pack 1, which should be available in the first quarter of 2008, will strip away software that renders Vista all but unusable if the Windows Genuine Advantage tool deems an OS illegal. The difficulty, Microsoft has admitted, is that it in numerous cases the tool has misreported copies of Vista, locking legitimate users out of their own purchases.

Reflecting this, the Pack will also close two loopholes used by pirates: one which lets pirates simulate activation, and another which artificially extends the time limit between installation and mandatory registration.

re: re: assholery

Apple won't need to

…include a snitch feature with their OS because they make the computer too. Steve Jobs has always been about the hardware with the OS just part of the whole. If he had taken the software more seriously he would have got a patent on the OS before showing it to Billy boy and having him rip it off. Hence, we wouldn't even be talking about this Vista problem today.

Apple is glad you bought the computer and if anything wants to make sure you will buy another soon. The OS is a carrot on a stick and if more people scam it then maybe more people will want to get the computer that comes with it.

FM pro 9

Filemaker pro 9 has an "iTunes-like" DRM copy protection, it works ok and offers enough freedom to work with. I'm convinced iTunes and its fairplay DRM can and will be used for software copy protection.

That said, this has nothing to do with the protection itself, it's MS trying to make Vista more appealing over XP. If they drop this protection it makes Vista more open than XP.

kill switch

I didn't say they had kill switches, but that wasn't what the original post talked of. It was 'snitch' software ("hey, I'm telling"), which the pro apps use to make sure they aren't overly used on a network.

Oh, I know, its not as bad. Yet it's still early. MS never cared. Then they started to just check serial numbers. Then validate them on the internet. Then came WGA.

Only layer upon layer

Only layer upon layer of jerks could have come up with the "kill switch". testudo, keyboarding furiously away on his tandy 64 gets it wrong about 95 percent of the time-pay him no attention. I figure him for an IT type whose job will tank should OSX ever gain the market share that Windoze has.

Mac pro apps use online activation. Most have 2 licenses. So-no-you cannot install them on infinite machines. Once activated, they run until you decide to deactivate that machine and put it on another. Simple. The exception would be Apple's Remote desktop software-where one machine can only be registered as administrator. I'd consider that a pro app too. The Apple deal is pretty much industry standard insofar as licensing is concerned.

Why not?

IF the copy on Vista is illegal and IF MS can prove that with 99.99% reliability why would anyone have a problem with 'locking out' a user of ILLEGAL software? That makes complete sense to me. I am a happy Mac user and have been for 2-years now. I bough a legit copy of XP for Parallels so I have ZERO compassion for those who illegally poach software and expect no repercussions. YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW regardless of what you think about MS it is THEIR software and you do not OWN IT - you simply license the right to use it - just like music.

I for one, would have ZERO issues if Apple placed an iTunes like activation on their OS and other software. I think that is a perfect compromise and it seems that is the way the industry is heading. I have a Vista notebook and I cannot deal with the reduced performance versus XP and the terrible UI. That said, there are other choices for people. I made a choice to go with Apple when it came time to buy a new notebook. I have several Apple computers including a 4-year old iMac and I am more than happy. For some, MS is the platform THEY CHOSE...for whatever reason. For others it is habit and in general people hate change. They are OK with XP and Windows as a whole because they are accustomed to it.

I digress - the point is this...MS wrote the software and spent billions of dollars (that is correct - over a billion dollars) to develop the software and subsidize the hardware makers along with a huge marketing budget. It is their lively hood. Would you like someone taking something you made and toiled over for years and give you ZIPPO for it? I think not. Your personal opinion of MS is not important as that is not relevant. People are STEALING software and MS as well as ANY OTHER COMPANY has a right and responsibility to protect its intellectual property.

I am not a fan of Microsoft but I respect their RIGHT to protect its software. If you have an illegal copy of Vista you should NOT expect to use it without issues. If or one, applaud MS for TRYING to take a stand.

We live in the Napster, Kaza era that allows people to get anything they want for FREE, illegally, by downloading it as sharing it with others. I guess I am getting old - I just do not appreciate that mentality. Not everything in this world is about you and our selfish me first attitude and mentality is ruining our society. BUCK UP AND BUY A LEGAL COPY OF VISTA and you would have NO ISSUES with a KILL SWITCH! Use your head, people.

The kill switch by itself

The kill switch by itself wasn't the issue, it was the fact that Vista was "kill switching" legit buyers of the OS. The issue is so wide spread that they have to disable this feature. Just another example of craptacular software implementation by the folks at MS.

I agree, pay for what you use-even shareware. I, like you don't like MS. Not because of who they are, but due to the sub-par OS they inflict on the technological world.

What is the alternative MS should use? How about preventing the computer from booting up without registration, like XP does? Also, for what you get from Vista/XP, their price should be way marked down. Probably better off with linux.

I agree...

As my post stated IF those two requirements were met I would have ZERO issue with the kill switch. MS is the most pirated software company in the world - and by a large amount. If MS were so terrible why do people buy the software (not a rhetorical question but a legitimate one)? I agree it sucks - for me. Others I know genuinely like Vista. I just talked with a friend of mine who raves over Vista.

I personally wish consumers would wise-up a bit and realize there are other choices out there. Until they do - MS will continue to put out bloat-ware with security holes big enough to fly the new Airbus A380 through.

I think MS is starting to see the light as the entire Vista experience has taught them a but of a lesson - I hope. Competition if good for Apple and the entire software community. I use MS Office every day and like it more than the Apple option but I also started using Open Office. It is almost as good as MS Office with the benefit of being free (sort-of as you should donate for use).

Anyway - innovation is good no matter where it comes from. Upward AND downward pressure makes a market stronger and leaves the consumer with even more choices. Hats off to innovation!